Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Tulip
My friend Susan, a church-going Christian of off-centre flavour, had a dog called Tulip who, aged 14, sadly popped her clogs.
Broken-hearted but stoic, Susan, after an appropriate period of mourning, acquired a pup, called Tulip too.
Or perhaps Tulip Two.
They quickly bonded, showering bi-directional love to the enhancement of both lives.
Then, only weeks later, Susan wakened one grey January morning to discover Tulip dead in her bed.
Bereft, she retired to the darkest corner of her soul to reconsider her future.
Speaking as a life-long atheist, I have one thought on Susan’s god.
Bitching sense of humour.
Doggy sadness. Hmm.
No mutts were harmed in the writing of this tale, Chris!
Poor Susan, unconsolable in her grief. Perhaps she rolled over in her sleep and crushed the poor pup. What was she thinking?
James.
When did my pyjamas get teeth, maybe?
What a cracker last line! Well done. I actually know people who name their dog name… 1 name 2 etc. Imaginary challenged, perhaps?
Glad you enjoyed, Amanda.
Some people do that to their children.
I suppose this is in traditional societies? As in Japan, I met a family whose son, a first born, was given a name that translated to First Dragon!
Chuckling. Not as bad a finding a horse’s head in your bed.
Susan never had a horse!
Good thing!
Very sad. I feel for your friend having lost her pet. I too lost my pet last year. I still remember her.
Any post of mine that starts ‘My friend’ is clearly a work of fiction. Especially when it appears on Fictioneers!
Went one direction and then another. I can’t help but agree with your last two sentences. 🙂
Angela, to post a comment on your blog I had to enter 1,000 details including my granny’s maiden name before proving – twice – that I’m not a robot. Is this a regular requirement or just for first time visitors ?
That turned dark quick. Nice story.
I guess so, if you’re a doggy person, Will!
CE a punchy piece of flash fiction, managing to swing from heartwarming to devastating to cynical in so few words – and great word play 🙌
Laughing here. One woman’s cynical is another man’s yeah whatever!
Dear C.E.
Perhaps she should choose a different name for the next dog. Not Daisy, though. Your narrator is also quite the cynic, isn’t he?
Shalom,
Rochelle
Talking of cynical, m’lady, you mentioned daisies!
🤷🏻♀️😜
As dog is an anagram of god, you’d expect him up there to be a little more caring of canines! Just a thought.
She – and she is a she, Keef – is obviously too busy taking care of a fat orange turd across the pond to worry about higher life forms like pooches
An angry God? Best that she goes forth and tiptoes thru the Tulips!
Hey, on my blog I do the funnies, okay?
Can’t help meself! [Grabs up her ukulele]
Oh dear, I kinda think I shouldn’t have laughed so hard at this.
Tight and tart – love it.
Nothing funnier than a couple of deid dugs, Jenne…
Poor Susan, now there are two dogs pushing up tulips. Or something.
Love the ascerbic observation here,CE
Acerbic, moi ? I always think of myself as sweetness and light!
Dont we all?!
Even you? Nah…
A merry and acidic piece, CE
Laughing. Cheers, Neil!